TECH: Jitterbug phone maker dials into $38M
[2008-7-21]
Tag : Cell Phone Keypads
Venture capital firms have pumped $38 million intoGreatCall, makers of the Jitterbug simplified cell phone forseniors, the company said Tuesday.
GreatCall will use the money for Jitterbug's expanded sales in moreretail locations, said David Inns, chief executive of the DelMar-based company. The company first sold Jitterbug by directmarketing, but has since branched out to major retailers, Innssaid.
"We are now available nationwide in Best Buy, we are in selectBeltone Hearing centers, and in about 500 Sears stores," Inns said.Some CVS drug stores in California also sell the Jitterbug.
The privately-owned GreatCall employs 140 people in North County,in its Del Mar headquarters and a call center in Carlsbad, Innssaid. The company leases wireless minutes from other carriers andresells to customers. Rates start at $10 a month, with callscosting 35 cents a minute, intended for those who rarely use cellphones. There are no roaming charges.
Senior citizens are the intended market for the Jitterbug, whichfeatures streamlined keypads with large numbers and give a dialtone when opened. There are two models, the Jitterbug Dial, with abasic numeric keypad, and the Jitterbug One Touch, intended mainlyfor emergency use, with just three preprogrammed numbers.
"We've been increasing our brand awareness and our growth over thelast year, so this ($38 million investment) is about continuing todo what we've been doing, doing it better, and continuing toexpand," Inns said.
Venture capital firms have pumped $38 million intoGreatCall, makers of the Jitterbug simplified cell phone forseniors, the company said Tuesday.
GreatCall will use the money for Jitterbug's expanded sales in moreretail locations, said David Inns, chief executive of the DelMar-based company. The company first sold Jitterbug by directmarketing, but has since branched out to major retailers, Innssaid.
"We are now available nationwide in Best Buy, we are in selectBeltone Hearing centers, and in about 500 Sears stores," Inns said.Some CVS drug stores in California also sell the Jitterbug.
The privately-owned GreatCall employs 140 people in North County,in its Del Mar headquarters and a call center in Carlsbad, Innssaid. The company leases wireless minutes from other carriers andresells to customers. Rates start at $10 a month, with callscosting 35 cents a minute, intended for those who rarely use cellphones. There are no roaming charges.
Senior citizens are the intended market for the Jitterbug, whichfeatures streamlined keypads with large numbers and give a dialtone when opened. There are two models, the Jitterbug Dial, with abasic numeric keypad, and the Jitterbug One Touch, intended mainlyfor emergency use, with just three preprogrammed numbers.
"We've been increasing our brand awareness and our growth over thelast year, so this ($38 million investment) is about continuing todo what we've been doing, doing it better, and continuing toexpand," Inns said.
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